Keep the season full of cheer: Discover tips to boost safety during the holidays

Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas parties, and spending precious moments with family are several of the activities we cherish during the holidays. It’s a time for cheer, but the season also includes more safety risks. Fortunately, abiding by some basic recommendations and using a well-equipped security system at your Hagerstown property can boost safety during the holidays.

Going out of town? Prevent intrusions at your Hagerstown home with advanced video cameras and automation

Traveling to visit relatives is a holiday custom, but leaving your Hagerstown home unoccupied increases the risk of intrusions. But there is a way to reduce the risk. Modern home security systems allow you to watch over your home regardless of your whereabouts with the latest surveillance. You may access real-time feeds from your cameras with the home security app on your cell phone.

The best surveillance tools take an active approach to defending your home. If a person comes within range, cameras will generate a sound or beam a light to scare them away. Here are some additional ways you can avoid intrustions when you’re traveling: 

• Program lights to come on at various moments to make your house look occupied
• Make sure your home security sign is in clear view
• Make sure doors are locked and your system is armed through the home security app
• Avoid announcing on social platforms that you’re leaving town

Safeguard against Chrismastime porch pirates in Hagerstown

For numerous families, the holidays mean a consistent stream of packages to your front door. Don’t attract opportunistic criminals by leaving them on your porch. Alternatively, receive an automatic update to your mobile device whenever a package appears so you know to grab it. 

If possible, arrange deliveries for when you’ll be present. When that’s not possible, see if a neighbor can bring them in. You can turn off your alarm and open your door from your phone. If someone is at your door, you can communicate with them via your doorbell camera’s bi-directional talk function. 

Follow established fire safety during the holidays in your Hagerstown home 

Christmas trees, candles, decorative lights, and home-cooked meals are popular during the holidays, but they also heighten your risk of fires. Here are a few tips for how to prevent them:

• Kitchen blazes increase during the holidays, particularlly at Thanksgiving. Avoid turning your back on an active stovetop. Keep kids at a distance to protect against burns. Always observe manufacturer guidelines when operating fryers.
• Hydrate Christmas trees and keep them a safe distance from fireplaces and candles. Keep in mind that trees get more fire-prone as they dehydrate.
• Don’t overload electrical outlets with extension cords and lights. Improper connections and damaged outlets are at risk of sparking and may result in fires.
• Glowing candles are beautiful but also hazardous around decorations and trees. Use them wisely and always put out flames when leaving a space.

Monitored fire alarms are a fantastic way to enhance your protection. When sensors like fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors integrate with your home security, you and your 24-7 monitoring agents will be notified any time an alarm trips, whether you’re home or away.

Stay safe during the holidays with a Vivint smart home in Hagerstown

Discover everything you need to keep your family safe during the holidays and every day of the year from Vivint. Our Hagerstown smart homes offer advanced features like custom automation, monitored fire alarms and surveillance with active deterrence. Reach us at (301) 923-4840 and give your loved ones the gift of better security this holiday.